Toe-dancer&#39;s shield



Jan. 21, 1930. J KEELING 1,744,122

TOE DANCER S SHIELD Filed Oct. 18, 1928 EIE'EEL INVENTOR Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOE-DANCER S SHIELD Application filed October 18, 1928. Serial No. 313,358.

This invention relates to a device for use in toe dancing, and for cushioning the toe and the metatarsal bones against the violent impact which both receive when the dancer is in rapid motion, the weight of the body being an item which must be taken into consideration, also.

Toe dancing reacts violently not only upon the structure of the toe proper, but upon the metatarsal bones, as well, thereby producing pain which is so violent that the performance of a toe dancer is brief, ten minutes be ing considered quite long enough for one continuous effort. lVhen, however, the device forming the subject matter of this application is employed, a toe dancer can prolong the act materially, and sometimes extend it to two hours and forty minutes. I

It is, therefore, one object of the invention to provide means for so cushioning the toe and the ball of the foot that the violence ordinarily imparted to the metatarsal bones may be reduced, toe dancing being transformed into an occupation which may be pursued with comfort to the performer.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally, and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention apertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in section, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, the foot of the toe dancer being indicated diagrammatically, in proper relation to the 4; shield or cushion;

Figure 2 is a perspective view disclosing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure 1, removed from so the foot.

The toe shield forming the subject matter of this application is of suitable formation, and comprises an inner casing 4 and an outer casing 5 which preferably are formed from fabric. The shield conforms, generally, in contour, to the shape of the foot and toes. The device is manufactured in different sizes and styles, as is common in connection with all articles intended for personal wear.

The casings 4 and 5 are joined at their outer edges to form a double-wall sack. Between the walls of the sack is placed a quantity of any suitable yielding or resilient ma terial, to form a filler or cushion 6. The cushion 6 may be made of rubber, rubber sponge, cork, chipped paper, clipped rags, or any other material which has sufficient resiliency to absorb the shock and impact to the toe and the metatarsal bones, during the performance. In the event that rubber, rubber sponge, or some other irritant material is used, it may be expedient to impregnate the material with an antiseptic of any desired sort.

The article appears in its normal condition in Figure 3, and Figure 1 shows that the toes 7 and S tend to nest in their normal relative positions, in the yielding or resilient cushion 6, the fabric casing 4 of course being interposed between the toes 7 and 8 and the cushion. The filler or cushion 6 will conform to the contour of the toes 7 and will support the great toe 8 resiliently, the transmission of the impact to the metatarsal bones being prevented.

The construction of this device is such as to allow it to be turned out as an article of manufacture, capable of being mounted on the foot, as shown in Figure 1, or within an article of foot wear of the kind used by toe dancers. The size of the cushion 6 may be varied to suit floor conditions, the weight of the dancer, the size of the foot, and the like.

Referring to Figure 2, the casings are shown at 4 and at 5, the device being provided with an upwardly projecting shield or tongue 9. The tongue 9 is adapted to lie against the side of the foot opposite the first metatarsal, thereby to aid in cushioning the lateral movements of the metatarsal bones,

whilst the foot of the dancer is in motion.

The device forming the subject matter of this application provides a highly efiicient and practical metatarsal shock absorber, combined with an efiicient toe-ball cushion.

The device, moreover acts like a resilient corset, to hold adjacent toes in proper position with respect to each other. The toes, nevertheless, are permitted to move sufficient- 1y to prevent cramping.

By way of summary, it may be stated that the toe dancers shield which forms the subject matter of this application, is of cup-like shape, and is provided with a recess which is shaped to conform approximately to the forward end of the human foot whereby the shield will fit directly on the human foot, the recess being deep enough to receive and cover the toes of the human foot and to enable the shield to retain itself on the toes and on the portion of the foot that is immediately adjacent to the toes, the shield being shaped externally to approximate the contour of the human foot, the shield being of such thickness and being made of such material as to form a cushioning reenforcement for the toes, in toe dancing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed o 1. A toe dancers shield of cup-like form, and provided with a recess shaped to conform approximately to the forward end of the human foot, whereby the shield will lit directly on the human foot, the recess being deep enough to receive and cover the toes of the human foot and to enable the shield to retain itself on the toes and on the portion of the foot that is immediately adjacent to the toes, the shield being shaped externally to approximate the contour of the human foot, the shield being of such thickness and being made of such material as to form a cushioning reinforcement for the toes, in toe dancing, there being a tongue at the inner end of the shield so shaped as to lie against the foot opposite the first metatarsal bone.

2. A toe dancers shield comprising inner and outer sacks of sufficient depth to receive the toes and adjacent portions of the human foot, there being a cushioning material int-erposed between the sacks, said shield being shaped externally to approximate the contour of the human foot and being of such thickness and of such material as to form a cushioning reinforcement for the toes, and a projection for the metatarsal bones, in toe dancing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature.

JOHN G. KEELING. 

